INVESTIGATIONS REPORT INTO

THE CONDITIONS & WELFARE OF

THE ANIMALS KEPT CAPTIVE
IN
DOLPHIN LAGOON AND UNDERWATER
WORLD SINGAPORE, SENTOSA (2014)
INVESTIGATIONS REPORT INTO THE
CONDITIONS & WELFARE CONCERN OF THE ANIMALS KEPT
CAPTIVE
IN
DOLPHIN LAGOON AND UNDERWATER WORLD SINGAPORE,
SENTOSA (2014)
by
WILDLIFE WATCHER (SINGAPORE)
in collaboration with
SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
supported by
Animal Friends Jogja (AFJ)
Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN)
Pramudya Harzani, Sectarian Member of Indonesian Commision for
Animal Welfare
Published by Wildlife Watcher (Singapore), 2014
Written by : Md. Hafiz'zan Shah (Sc) io!"thics#Medical Sciences
"dited by: Sea Shepherd $onser%ation Society # &a'arta (ni)al (id *et+or'
,esearchers: Md. Hafiz'zan Shah # Sea Shepherd $onser%ation Society
-
CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ABBREVIATIONS USED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
TERMS USED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INVESTIGATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
FINDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8!
INVESTIGATION PICTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "# $6
RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7
CONC%USION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $!3#
.
INTRODUCTION
&'()('*e &a+,-e. ! To serve and protect, to educate and respect
Focusing on issues within the South East Asia region, Wildlife Watcher is a Singapore!
based interest group, dedicated to defend the natural world from exploitation. Armed with
scientific investigation, documentation and reports as well as strong partnerships with
international counterparts, Wildlife Watcher monitors and tackles issues revolving violations
of human and animal welfare rights. "ducating through ad%ocacy ca)paigns and ethical
/ournalis), Wildlife Watcher enriches its goals and )oti%es +ith ut)ost passion and
intelligence. We are all ste+ard sand ste+ardesses of this "arth.
0
ABBREVIATIONS USED
ACRES : (ni)al $oncerns ,esearch # "ducation Society
AVA : (gri!1ood and 2eterinary (uthority of Singapore
CITES / $on%ention on 3nternational 4rade in "ndangered Species of Wild 1auna and
1lora
NGO012 : *on!5o%ern)ental 6rganisation(s)
SG : Singapore
SSCS : Sea Shepherd $onser%ation Society
U&S : 7nder+ater World Singapore
&&/ Wildlife Watcher
TERMS USED
Ce+a,ea31: a8uatic )a))als co))only 'no+n as +hales, dolphins and porpoises.
C'.,41: an establish)ent, +hether per)anent, seasonal or te)porary, +here ani)als are
'ept or presented that
are, or +ill be, used for the purposes of perfor)ing tric's or )anoeu%res. 9olphinaria, zoos
and a8uaria are e:cluded.
D5(6-'3a.'47 06(4.a(/ )5(6-'3a.'a2 : an a8uariu) for cetaceans.
;
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3n -<<<, 7WS ac8uired si: 3ndo!pacific Hu)pbac'ed 9olphins (Sousa chinensis) for its
attraction, the 9olphin =agoon, of +hich four +ere +ild caught and i)ported fro) 4hailand
+ith help fro) 6asis Sea World in =ae) Singh.
>"8 >$? >5?
(lthough the capture and i)portation
of these dolphins +ere illegal according to $34"S, the (2(, a go%ern)ent regulatory
agency for +ildlife trade and safeguarding the +elfare of ani)als in Singapore, ad)itted to
a clerical error of docu)enting the dolphins are capti%e!bred instead of being +ild caught
>6?
,
hence allo+ing the dolphins to be 'ept in 9olphin =agoon. 7WS /ustified their ac8uisition
of these dolphins by clai)ing that they +ere @rescuedA fro) consu)ption in 4hailand.
>"? >$?
3n .BB0, ($,"S, a Singapore!based ani)al +elfare organisation, raised se%eral concerns
regarding the +elfare of the dolphins in 9olphin =agoon after an inspection +as done. (s
stated in ($,"SA report, it +as cited that 7WS had planned to organise acti%ities ai)ed at
increasing public a+areness and understand of dolphins. ,esearch, conser%ation and
education +ere thus the )ain co)ponents and ob/ecti%es of the 9olphin =agoon. 3n
addition, 7WS also stated that the dolphins +ould not be )ade to perfor) tric's +hich are
unnatural. ($,"S )entioned in their report that there +ere apparent contradictions of
9olphin =agoonAs ob/ecti%es to their findings on the +elfare of the dolphins. "ducation +as
)ini)al and the recreation and entertain)ent aspect of the facility +ere clearly the )ain
focus. ($,"S also stated in their report that the 9olphin =agoon does not ha%e a beneficial
aspect in ter)s of dolphin research, conser%ation and education.
938
3n .BB-, C*ata)D, a fe)ale dolphin at 9olphin =agoon died of acute gastritis.
>4?
Studies in
the 7nited States suggested that an inordinate nu)ber of capti%e dolphins are succu)bing to
stress related illnesses such as heart attac's and gastric ulcers.
3n (pril .BB0, C&u)boD, a )ale dolphin at 9olphin =agoon had -- of his teeth e:tracted due
to fights +ith another )ale dolphin through the bars separating their lagoons.
>4?
4his
indicated e:tre)e )ental and physical stress in the dolphin.
E
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVE
6n -st &uly .B-;, a )e)ber of the public alerted WW(S5) and SS$S about the conditions
of the dolphins 'ept in 9olphin =agoon at 7WS.
WW(S5) and SS$S launched an in%estigation into the )atter +ith total of t+o separate
inspections, conducted in the )onths of &uly and (ugust .B-;.
F
INVESTIGATIONS
O3 $3.) J4(: $#"4; 7e7<e.1 5* && 0SG2 a3) SSCS '3=e1+'ga+e) a3) '316e,+e) '3+5
+-e )5(6-'3>1 ,53)'+'531 a3) ?e(*a.e a+ D5(6-'3 %ag553; U&S. A +5+a( 5* 5 -54.1 5*
5<1e.=a+'53; =')e5g.a6-: a3) 6-5+5g.a6-: ?e.e (5gge) a3) .e,5.)e) a1 e=')e3,e.
9uring the in%estigation, our in%estigators sat in t+o progra))es ! -) CPin' dolphins
behind!the!scene enrich)ent play sessionD andG .) CMeet the 9olphins and 1ur Seals
sessionD.
4he ti)eline of the in%estigation are as follo+s:
H &uly .0, .B-;, -p): 3n%estigators purchased entry tic'ets to 7WS at I.<.<B
Singapore 9ollars each.
H &uly .0, .B-;, .p) : 3n%estigators proceeded for progra))e -) CPin' dolphins
behind!the!scene enrich)ent play sessionD.
H &uly .0, .B-;, 0p) : 6bser%ation of dolphin enclosure surroundings and
in%estigation of the (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters on display and their
enclosures.
H &uly .0, .B-;, ;p) : 3n%estigators proceeded for progra))e .) CMeet the 9olphins
and 1ur Seals sessionD.
H &uly .0, .B-;, ;;Ep) : Sho+ ended.
O3 "7+- A4g41+ $#"4; a *5((5?46 '3=e1+'ga+'53 ?a1 )53e +5 .e'316e,+ +-e ,53)'+'531 5*
+-e )5(6-'31 a+ D5(6-'3 %ag553; U&S. A +5+a( 5* $ -54.1 5* 5<1e.=a+'53; =')e5g.a6-:;
6-5+5g.a6-: a3) )e,'<e( 7ea14.e7e3+ ?e.e (5gge) a3) .e,5.)e) a1 e=')e3,e.
H (ugust -J, .B-;, 00Bp): 3n%estigators purchased entry tic'ets to 7WS at I.<.<B
Singapore 9ollars each.
H (ugust -J, .B-;, ;p): 3n%estigators proceed for the progra))e CMeet the 9olphins
and 1ur Seals sessionD.
H (ugust -J, .B-;, ;;Ep) :Sho+ ended.
J
FINDINGS
6ur findings in regards to the conditions and +elfare of the dolphins and other ani)als held
capti%e in 9olphin =agoon, 7WS are as follo+:
(-) 4he state)ent +e recei%ed fro) the )e)ber of the public ! C9egrading conditions of
dolphin pensKpool for displayKe:hibits is a disappoint)entD ! is true.
3nfrastructure degradation such as corrosion of the pool bea)s +ere %isible
fro) audienceAs %ie+point (refer to Investigation Pictures, Enclosure
Corrosion: picture 1, picture 1a & picture 1b )
(.) 4he dolphins and fur seals +ere )ade to display and perfor) unnatural acts for
entertain)ent does not represent any conser%ation efforts.
0.e*e. +5 I3=e1+'ga+'53 P',+4.e; @T-e )5(6-'31 a3) *4. 1ea(1 ?e.e 7a)e +5
)'16(a: a3) 6e.*5.7 433a+4.a( a,+1A 6',+4.e $; 6',+4.e $a B 6',+4.e$< 2
(0) 4he state)ent +e recei%ed fro) the )e)ber of the public ! C(n adult dolphin has a
%isible head and )outh in/ury +ith s'in proble)sD is true. 6ne of the adult
fe)ale dolphin na)ed CHanD has a %isible infection on top of her head and
another distinct +ound on the left side of her botto) /a+. 1ro) the pictures
ta'en on -st &uly .B-;, .0rd &uly .B-; and -Jth (ugust .B-;, both in/uries
sho+ed no signs of i)pro%e)ent and appears to ha%e +orsen o%er ti)e. 6ur
in%estigators also found fresh scratch )ar's on another adult dolphin,
suspected to be bite )ar's inflicted by other dolphins 'ept together in the
facility.(refer to Investigation Pictures, an !ead In"uries : picture #,
picture #a, picture #b, picture #b, picture #c, picture #d, picture #e )
(;) Music playing at high %olu)e and noise le%el generated by audience during the sho+
are a stress!causing factor for the ani)als. 4he noise le%el fro) the )usic
played pre!sho+ +as )easured at !# )e,'<e(1 and )easured up to "#"
)e,'<e(1 during the sho+
>--?.
L
(E) (n adult fe)ale dolphin, CPanD, together +ith its un!na)ed ne+born calf , are in the
sa)e pool throughout the sho+s on -st &uly .B-;, .0rd &uly .B-; and -Jth
(ugust .B-;. 4his is %ery stressful for both dolphins, especially the calf. oth
+ere also obser%ed s+i))ing in repeated circular )otions.(refer to
Investigation Pictures, Pan $it! un%na&ed bab' calf : Picture ()
(F) 9olphins are put on display and )ade to perfor) despite ha%ing serious in/uries. 4his
clearly contra%enes the la+
><?
(J) 3n addition to our in%estigation, +e disco%ered that the (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters are
housed in sub!standard conditions, indicating an ob%ious lac' of +elfare and
ser%es no educational and conser%ational purpose. 9uring the in%estigations
on .0rd &uly .B-;, +e found a total of 0 otters housed in t+o separate
enclosures, one enclosure housing . otters +hile the other housing only -
otter. 4his clearly %iolates the natural social grouping of (sian S)all!cla+ed
6tters +here they can li%e in groups consisting of about -. indi%iduals, +here
they depend on each other for defence and groo)ing. 3t is +ell established
that this otter is a sociable ani)alG it is not reco))ended or considered e%er
acceptable to 'eep a lone ani)al
>-B?
. 3t also contradicts the section @social
beha%iourA stated on the signage that 7WS has in front of the ottersA
enclosure. 4he otters are only gi%en s)all e:hibition spaces +ith insufficient
sheltered area and a s)all shallo+ pool +ith little +ater in each enclosure in
+hich are barely reached the )ini)u) standard
>-B?
. 4he shallo+ pool
disallo+s the natural beha%iour of otters di%ing and s+i))ing to hunt for
their food as +ell as bonding through play +ith other otters in the fa)ily
group. oth enclosures ha%e no natural substrates such as grass, soil or
pebbles but only ce)ented flooring can cause foot and tail sore
>-B?
, (refer to
Investigation Pictures, )sian *&all%cla$ed +tters : picture ,, picture ,a &
picture ,b)
<
INVESTIGATION PICTURES
"nclosure $orrosion
P',+4.e "/ Degrading conditions of dolphin pens/pool for display/exhibits is a disappointment
picture taken on 1 st uly 2014 by member of the public
-B
"nclosure $orrosion
P',+4.e "a/ Degrading conditions of dolphin pens/pool for display/exhibits is a disappointment
picture taken on 1 st uly 2014 by member of the public
--
"nclosure $orrosion
P',+4.e "</ Degrading conditions of dolphin pens/pool for display/exhibits is a disappointment
picture taken on 1 st uly 2014 by member of the public
-.
4he dolphins and fur seals +ere )ade to display and perfor) unnatural acts
P',+4.e $/ @ picture taken on 2!
rd
uly 2014 by member of the public
-0
4he dolphins and fur seals +ere )ade to display and perfor) unnatural acts
P',+4.e $/ @ picture taken on 2!
rd
uly 2014 by member of the public
-;
4he dolphins and fur seals +ere )ade to display and perfor) unnatural acts
Picture -b: picture taken on 1"
th
#ugust 2014 by member of the public
-E
CHanD adult fe)ale dolphin
P',+4.e 3/ #n adult female dolphin named $an has a %isible head and mouth in&ury 'ith skin
problem picture taken on 1 st uly 2014 by member of the public
-F
CHanD adult fe)ale dolphin
P',+4.e 3a/ @ #n adult female dolphin named $an has a %isible head and mouth in&ury 'ith skin
problem picture taken on 1 st uly 2014 by member of the public
-J
CHanD adult fe)ale dolphin
P',+4.e 3,: #n adult female dolphin named ($an has a %isible head and mouth in&ury 'ith skin
problem conditions picture taken on .0rd &uly .B-; by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
-L
CHanD adult fe)ale dolphin
P',+4.e 3):#n adult dolphin named $an has a %isible head and mouth in&ury 'ith skin problem
conditions picture taken on 1"th #ugust 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
-<
CHanD adult fe)ale dolphin
Picture #e 0 #n adult dolphin named $an has a %isible head and mouth in&ury 'ith skin problem
conditions picture taken on 1"th #ugust 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
.B
P',+4.e 4 : #nother adult dolphin 'ith fresh scratch marks on head picture taken on 2!rd uly
2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
.-
CPanD +ith un!na)ed baby calf
P',+4.e 5/ picture taken on 1"
th
#ugust 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
..
A1'a3 S7a((,(a?e) O++e.1
P',+4.e 6/ @ Housing of (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters +ith sub!standard conditions, lac' of +elfare
and ser%es no educational and conser%ational purposeD. Picture of #sian Small1cla'ed 2tter3s
enclosure 'as taken on 2!rd uly 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
.0
.;
A1'a3 S7a((,(a?e) O++e.1
P',+4.e 6/ @ Housing of (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters +ith sub!standard conditions, lac' of +elfare
and ser%es no educational and conser%ational purposeD. Picture of #sian Small1cla'ed 2tter3s
enclosure 'as taken on 2!rd uly 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
.E
P',+4.e 6</ CHousing of (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters +ith sub!standard conditions, lac' of +elfare
and ser%es no educational and conser%ational purposeD. Picture of #sian Small1cla'ed 2tter3s
enclosure 'as taken on 2!rd uly 2014 by officers from )) *S+, - SS.S/ *belo',
.F
RECOMMENDATIONS
WW (S5) and SS$S are re8uesting the follo+ing fro):
-. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS for a state)ent in respond to the reported
findings.
.. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS for a state)ent on the health conditions of
the dolphins and the +elfare of the otters housed in 9olphin =agoon and
7nder+ater World Singapore respecti%ely.
0. (2( for a response on 7WSA %iolation of (ni)al and irds (Pet Shop and
":hibition) ,ules .BB;, under (ni)al ":hibitions,Section $, $onditionG
(ni)al Housing # "n%iron)ent, (ni)al Manage)ent # Healthcare, sub!
section $.;, C(ni)al e:hibited )ust be healthy and in good condition. Sic',
9iseased or in/ured ani)al )ust be re)o%ed fro) the e:hibition and treated
by a licensed practising %eterinarianD
;. (2( for a response on 7WSA %iolation of (ni)al and irds (Pet Shop and
":hibition) ,ules .BB;, under (ni)al Perfor)ances, under $onditions,
Section 0, C6nly healthy ani)als that are suited to perfor)ing are to be usedD
E. (2( for a response on 7WSA %iolation of (ni)al and irds (Pet Shop and
":hibition) ,ules .BB;, under (ni)al Perfor)ances, under $onditions,
Section <, C4he ani)al )ust not pose a danger to the publicD.
F. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS for a state)ent on their future plans for the
ne+born dolphin calf and its )other, Pan.
J. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS to cease all ani)al sho+s +ith i))ediate
effect and start rehabilitation!and!release progra))e for all dolphins housed
in 9olphin =agoon, bac' into the +ild.
L. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS to engage local and international *56(s)
suggested by WW (S5) for the rehabilitation!and!release progra))e in a
situation +here Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS agrees on releasing
all the dolphins housed in 9olphin =agoon bac' into the +ild.
<. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS to i)pro%e housing and husbandry +ith
i))ediate effect for the otters housed in 7WS
.J
-B. Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS to engage positi%e discussion +ith WW
(S5), SS$S and (2( for future decisions # +elfare of the ani)als.
.L
CONC%USION
WW (S5), SS$S and the supporting groups are concerned about the future of the ani)als
housed in 7WS and 9olphin =agoon, and is doubtful of its capabilities to )aintain the
ani)alsA physical and psychological health +ith proper husbandry, )edical care and ethical
conser%ation efforts. 4he health of the dolphins held capti%e in 9olphin =agoon are in
appalling and deteriorating conditions +hich clearly sho+ that ade8uate care of these
ani)als ha%e not been not )et. 4he display and usage of sic'Kin/ured ani)als for sho+s is
in clear %iolation of the la+
><?
as +ell as contradicts 7WSA stand on conser%ation and
education. 6%er the period of -; years since the ac8uisition of the dolphins, 7WS also did
not )eet the criteria in research, conser%ation and education, ha%ing )ini)al benefit and
contribution to the +ild population of dolphins. 7WS needs to realise that dolphins are not
suitable for capti%ity and that dolphinariu)s are contributing to ani)al cruelty at the highest
e:tent, fro) capture to capti%ity. 7WS also did not )eet the opti)al conditions for the
ottersA enclosures, +hich are belo+ the )ini)al standard in ani)al +elfare re8uire)ents
>-B?
.
Ha+ Par $orporation =i)ited and 7WS )ust realise and ta'e full responsibility of the
abo%e reported findings, especially the physical and psychological health of the ani)als.
WW (S5) and SS$S +ould li'e to stress that proper and ade8uate )edical treat)ent,
rehabilitating and releasing the dolphins bac' into the +ild and i)pro%ing the husbandry
and enclosure for the (sian S)all!cla+ed otters is the only positi%e step ahead for true
conser%ation, education and for the +elfare of the ani)als.
.<
,"1","*$" =3S4
-) ($,"S, Suffering, not s)iling, 4he 4ruth about capti%e dolphins, .BB0, Page < by
=ouis *g
.) 9olphins fly in to 7nder+ater World -L &uly -<<<. 4he Straits 4i)es, Singapore
0) ($,"S, Suffering, not s)iling, 4he 4ruth about capti%e dolphins, .BB0, Page ; by
=ouis *g
;) ($,"S, Suffering, not s)iling, 4he 4ruth about capti%e dolphins, .BB0, Page -0 #
-; by =ouis *g
E) 4he Straits 4i)es, .- 9ece)ber .BB0, Page -B, C4hai par' raided o%er e:port of
dolphins to S'pore, source (P.
F) 4he Straits 4i)es, F 1ebruary .BB;,DPin' dolphin caught in the +ild but they can
stayD page -B by =ee Hui $hieh
J) 4he Straits ti)es -0 october .BBB, page EJ, C9olphin loses babyD by &osephine
&a)es
L) 4oday ! (fternoon "dition, .E (pril .BB0, page L, C&u)bo loses -- teethD by 5race
4ay
<) (gri!1ood # 2eterinary (uthority ((2(), (ni)al and irds (Pet Shop and
":hibition) ,ules .BB;, under (ni)al ":hibitions,Section $, $onditionG
(ni)al Housing # "n%iron)ent, (ni)al Manage)ent # Healthcare, sub!
section $.;, C(ni)al e:hibited )ust be healthy and in good condition. Sic',
9iseased or in/ured ani)al )ust be re)o%ed fro) the e:hibition and treated
by a licensed practising %eterinarianD
-B) Su))ary of Husbandry 5uidelines for (sian S)all!cla+ed 6tters in $apti%ity by
37$*KSS$ 6tter Specialist 5roup, 6tters in $apti%ity 4as' 1orce
( http:KK+++.otterspecialistgroup.orgK=ibraryK4as'1orcesK6$4.ht)l).
--) "7 M66 3*N73,O .B-- ! 96=PH3*(,3( ( re%ie+ of the 'eeping of +hales and
dolphins in capti%ity in the "uropean 7nion and "$ 9irecti%e-<<<K..,
relating to the 'eeping of +ild ani)als in zoos. Written by the Whale and
9olphin $onser%ation Society for the "uropean coalition "*9$(P in
association +ith the orn 1ree 1oundation
0B